She rubbed her forearms. “Even though Abby was safe in Boston with Jacob, there was one person I feared afterward that might have caused Abby and your family trouble, and that was Captain Davenport.”
Anthony smirked. “Captain Davenport’s hubris earned him a promotion to India for an indefinite stay. That my father had any influence with his cousin, the King, I can only guess.”
“That will teach me not to fool with a Rutland.” Rachel cleared her throat and moved the balance scale to where they were working. “I spoke with Mrs. Noot, my lady’s maid. She told me how you saved her from her husband.”
“If there was ever a piece of humanity that symbolized cruelty, it was Cuthbert. He beat his wife like a rented mule.”
“You impressed Mrs. Cuthbert with your…talents?”
Anthony swiveled to face her. “Miss Thorne, you are provocative.”
Elbows resting on the counter, Rachel rested her chin in the palm of her hand. “It’s just that—”
“Like Mrs. Noot, you expected me to be soft since I closet myself in my laboratory? I box regularly with tenants. They work hard to keep me in good shape.”
“Oh, dear, I hope you didn’t think I was being indelicate.” She twirled hair around her finger and then caught him staring at the movement, stopped and straightened, running her hands down her apron front.
“Not at all. I like your curious nature. I encourage it.”
Never had she felt so alive. To whirl around with her arms outstretched.
“You never completed telling me of your archery exploits.”
Rachel bit her lip. “You can thank Reverend Pott’s wife for my archery abilities.”
“Was she your tutor?”
“She was my inspiration. Mrs. Potts had a predilection for gossip and meanness. She was also afraid of Indians, even though the few that were around lived in remote areas outside of Boston or, like the friendly Wampanoag, worked on ships and farms. But you couldn’t convince Mrs. Potts of their civilized ways. When she started terrible rumors about Jacob, Ethan and me, we went on the offensive. We made a huge supply of arrows, and then went out into the forest to practice with our bows, competing with each other.”
“I see where this is going.”
He looked like summertime, if one could look like a favorable season, warm and thriving.
Forcing down a smile, Rachel let loose her story. “First, I launched an arrow next to her front door. She nearly fainted dead away. Every day I launched more arrows, her back door, bedroom window, her carriage. When she had said something particularly mean-spirited about my younger brother, Thomas who was all of two summers, and the dearest, sweetest little boy who walked the earth, I ramped up the bombardment that would have made Julius Caesar proud. I loved Thomas and for Mrs. Potts to call him such awful names was abominable. Every time she went to the privy, she came under attack. I launched a dozen arrows into the door. Mrs. Potts swooned, and did not leave the privy all day, fearing Indians had invaded Boston. My father caught me and I received quite a penance.”
“What was your penance?”
“I could not go to the shipyard for a whole day. My father did not like Mrs. Potts either, but he had to make a point.”
“No doubt the rebellious streak runs in the family. I’ll have to be on my best behavior lest you come after me with your bow and arrows.”
Rachel laughed. Anthony referred to her older brother and cousin, staunch rebel privateers against the Crown with a price on their heads.
“I have failed.” She sighed.
“Failed? How’s that?”
“My goal was to turn your perpetual scowl into a cheerful countenance.”
“An impossible feat.”
“And why is that?” She wanted to know the dark mysterious side of Anthony Rutland. The part that held him back from living. She bit her lip. Were they not both full of flaws, stitched together with good intentions and seeking…seeking what? She could not answer that question for the life of her.
Not wanting to let the gaiety of the moment subside, she asked, “It’s only fair you share with me one of your youthful foibles.”
Anthony exhaled, obviously weighing what he would reveal to her. “When I was twelve summers, I experimented with different chemicals, left the combinations heating over the fire, and then left for lunch. My absence precipitated an explosion.”
“You mean to tell me your laboratory has suffered two explosions?”
